Ken Campbell's Column

There's a developing trend of teams hiring young, inexperienced coaches, but will it continue or will we see a return of the old guard? With the game of musical chairs when it comes to NHL coaches approaching its conclusion, there’s an excellent chance that at least two of Ken Hitchcock, Craig MacTavish and Craig Ramsay will be left standing when the music stops.

When his team needed him most, Roberto Luongo didn't keep them in it, so the question has to be asked: is he their guy? VANCOUVER – Tim Thomas will never have to buy a beer – heck he may never have to pull his wallet out – in Boston ever again.

The Bruins won their first Cup since 1972, but with the way this team has been put together, it may not take that long for another. VANCOUVER – Gary Bettman has been commissioner of the NHL since 1993, which just happens to be the last year a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup.

Both teams are talking about the stress of the do-or-die final contest, but neither the Canucks nor Bruins feel it'll be a negative. VANCOUVER – Based on their recent history in Vancouver and the fact that a team has never won three Game 7s in the same playoff season, the Boston Bruins should logically have no reason to think they’ll win the Stanley Cup tonight.

Mason Raymond will still be in Boston, but just as Nathan Horton's concussion inspired the Bruins, Raymond's injury may have the same effect for the Canucks. VANCOUVER – So here’s the situation going into Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final. The Boston Bruins will have their emotional touchstone, Nathan Horton, in the building as they try to win their first Stanley Cup since 1972.

Will Roberto Luongo be able to make a save? Will the Sedins get rolling on the power play? Nobody knows what's going to happen anymore. BOSTON – Had Brad Marchand pounded Daniel Sedin square in the face one more time late in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final, he would have matched his team’s scoring punch with his own punch count.

The NHL had a chance to make the game much safer, but failed by not recommending an all-out ban on head shots. BOSTON – The NHL has essentially taken one word out of Rule 48 and believes it will go a long way toward making players safer.
In a change that was endorsed by the competition committee Monday afternoon, the league will basically take the word “blindside” out of the lexicon when it comes to applying the rule that governs head shots in the NHL.

Having the Stanley Cup in the building doesn't provide players with any more drive. Just playing for the Cup can be the height of a career. BOSTON - This year’s Stanley Cup final has been hugely entertaining, chock full of wild momentum swings, jaw-dropping hits and a frenetic pace.

Win or lose, the Canucks will wave goodbye to many in the off-season...Kesler's day off...Thomas bites back...and why 'H' equals 'W.' BOSTON – Sunday musings going into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final:
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If the Vancouver Canucks manage to turn the tide of this series by winning the Stanley Cup on the road Monday night, they’ll be able to savor their victory before undoubtedly bidding farewell to some of the players who helped them win it.

Both clubs are yapping through the media, but the real concerns should be if the Bruins can continue the trend of home wins in the final and force a Game 7. BOSTON – One of the worst things about having two days between games in the Stanley Cup final is that it creates a vacuum that needs to be filled.

They've been outplayed and outscored in the series, but a phenomenal bounce-back performance from Roberto Luongo has the Canucks one win from the Stanley Cup. VANCOUVER – During the 1988 U.S. presidential campaign, Saturday Night Live did a hilarious spoof on a debate between candidates George H.

Where has the NHL's best regular season power play gone? If the Bruins keep taking penalties, the Canucks better start taking advantage. VANCOUVER – The revolving door of defensemen surrounding Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks will likely continue in Game 5, but the more immediate concern for the Canucks is their inability to stop that revolving door from leaving them in a state of dizziness.